Portable net holding assembly

Abstract

A portable net holding assembly for volley ball and the like comprises two identical halves. Each half of the assembly includes a substantially planar base member having (i) at least one downwardly depending spike adaptable for insertion into the ground adjacent the playing area in order to secure or hold the base to the ground when in a deployed position or playing position, and (ii) an upwardly depending, centrally located male stud. An end pole has a longitudinal recess at one end for accommodating the male stud of the base. A plurality of elongated stakes, preferably two, are adaptable to be inserted into the ground at spaced apart points remote from the base member and outwardly from the playing area. A set of lines extend from the pole to each of the stakes and are releasably connected thereto in a deployed position, and the pole has longitudinally spaced connecting elements for releasably connecting a net thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable net holding assembly for volley ball and the like, which comprises two identical halves, each half comprising: (a) a substantially planar base member having (i) at least one downwardly depending spike adaptable for insertion into the ground adjacent the playing area for anchoring said base to the ground when in a deployed position, and (ii) an upwardly depending, centrally located male stud;   (b) an end pole having a longitudinal recess at one end thereof for accommodating said male stud;   (c) two elongated stakes adaptable to be inserted into the ground at spaced apart points remote from said base member and outwardly from the playing area whereby on assembly in a deployed position said stakes and said base member define a triangle, and each of said stakes having a hook near the exposed terminus when in a deployed position;   (d) a first line and a second line, said first line having looped termini releasably secured at each terminus to each of said stakes by said hook and extending from said pole and releasably connected thereto at a first point of convergence, and said second line having looped termini releasably secured at each terminus to each of said stakes by said hook and extending from said pole and releasably connected thereto at a second point of convergence longitudinally spaced from said first point of convergence, and adjustable means at each of said termini for said first and second lines to tension said lines when in a deployed position; and   (e) said pole having longitudinally spaced connecting means for releasably connecting a net thereto.   
     
     
       2. A portable net holding assembly according to claim 1 wherein for each half said pole includes a lower pole with said longitudinal recess for accommodating said male stud, and an upper pole extendable from said lower pole on a common axis, and coupling means for releasably connecting said lower and upper poles in a deployed position. 
     
     
       3. A portable net holding assembly according to either claim 1 or 2 further including a net for connecting at one end thereof to said connecting means when in a deployed position.